Thursday, November 22, 2012

Feeling Thankful

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite celebration.  Even as a child i realized that it carried none of the angst of Christmas; that it was all about family.  Usually that meant just the four of us, but now and then the Grandparents would make the long drive to join us.

By college, my "family" grew to include the family of my BFF Elizabeth, who would whisk me off to Maryland to share the weekend with her exxuberant Italian family!  A weekend when gnocci and lasagna shared top billing with Tom.  (Telling you this requires me to explain that i went to college in a time when flying home for a four-day weekend was too expensive, and college girls did not have their own cars!)

As a young adult i seldom got to my nuclear family's for Thanksgiving, but those were the years whan "family" meant those who were not traveling.  You've been to those dinner - the ones where everyone brings a dish and someone else who doesn't have plans.  Those dinners where five people bring green bean casserole.  Those years when family swells to include lots of new folks - some of whom you may not know well or see again.  But still , family for one warm afternoon of football and dinner.

For the past 10 - 12 years Thanksgiving for us has been a trip to Hilton Head Island- initially to play tennis, but in recent years to share with our extended family.  Yesterday we were thinking of all the good times we have had here...  the year that James and Vandy came all the way from Albuquerque, and the times that Abbe and her husband have spent couple of days with us on their way to Florida to see their grandchildren.  And, the years that Elizabeth and Chuck have come up from Florida - recreating my college memories.  Or,recent visits with Dora and the Colonel, who last year introduced us to his project of documenting grave yards..

This year our family is spread to the winds with Elizabeth in Seattle meeting her new granddaughter, Abbe already in Florida, and Dora welcoming that handsome new son-in-law for the weekend.  So, we will celebrate small today, but drive to my brother's tomorrow for the weekend.

The rest of my family will be here today, too.  My blogger family.  And for all of you i give big thanks.

9 comments:

  1. Happy Thanksgiving back to you.
    We are heading out to my SIL's. It was to be a festive affair combining Thanksgiving with BIL's retirement party (after 40 years). Sadly, my hubby's nephew in-law is very sick and he and hubby's niece won't be coming. The blood clots have returned to his lungs after being off blood thinners for 6 weeks. Only 27 years old. We are sad and worried about them.
    I enjoyed reading about your prior Thanksgivings. It sounds as if you have been blessed with many friends. Have a great Thanksgiving weekend.

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    1. Youre definitely one of the bloggy oes. Hope your NIL improves soon. Sounds scary.

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  2. Happy Thanksgiving to you, as well! Tennis on Thanksgiving sounds great!

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  3. What lovely memories! And Happy Thanksgiving from me, member of the blogger family.

    I have been thinking about you, and have wondered how your wing is progressing. You did quite a bit of typing here, so all's well? Enjoy the day! Hugs!

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    1. Wing is improving, tho still rather useless. HAND, however, is working well these days. I need to return to blogging, but seem to be so wrapped up in the physical that im not looking outside of myself yet. Soon... i hope.

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  4. That's right and here's another virtual sister checking in and wishing you both a lovely day.

    It is the best holiday, food, friends, family and football.

    Big hug.

    xo jane

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  5. Huge hug, Sis. You keep me going. Thanks.

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  6. Happy late Thanksgiving. Glad to hear that you're feeling somewhat better.

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  7. How is it that you can always make me cry from happiness? Glad you are back safe and sound and that Brother is OK. We missed you at T'giving. Love, Elizabeth

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